State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (8th) announced earlier this month that he recently field legislation that would allow for the immediate sealing of criminal records that resulted in acquittal or dismissal with prejudice, meaning that the charges can’t be brought against the defendant again, after the cases are finally settled.
“Every day, people who have been arrested and either spend time at Cook County Jail or are out on bond are found innocent of all the charges brought against them,” Ford noted in a Feb. 7 statement.
“Many people are arrested who did not commit the crime they are accused of, and eventually a judge or jury finds them innocent. Unfortunately, these charges will remain on their record. As a result, when they apply for a job or if their current employer looks at their record, they will find that these charges are still on their record even if they have been found innocent.”
Ford said that, for most defendants, the process of removing the charges from their records involves a lengthy process involving punitive fees, which “creates a barrier for many people who are law-abiding citizens” trying to support themselves and their families.
At a Feb. 7 press conference announcing the proposed legislation, held at St. Martin de Porres Church in Austin, various religious leaders and elected officials offered glowing support for the proposed legislation.
“Every day, people who have been arrested and either spend time at Cook County Jail or are out on bond are found innocent of all the charges brought against them,” said Fr. Tom Walsh. “Many people are arrested who did not commit the crime they are accused of, and eventually a judge or jury finds them innocent. Unfortunately, those charges will remain on their record. As a result, when they apply for a job or if their current employer looks at their record, they will find that these charges are still [there].”
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown said the proposed legislation, House Bill 4954, “will be life-changing for so many people. It will impact not only the individuals with the final dispositions of no wrongdoing or no finding of guilt, but also their families and [people] they care of as well […].”
“A multilevel stakeholder coalition is necessary to achieve social justice,” said U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis (7th). “We are pleased to work with Clerk Brown and Rep. Ford on issues that improve the quality of life for the people we all serve.”
